Sathya Sai Baba
Sathya Sai Baba (born Ratnakaram Sathyanarayana Raju; 23 November 1926 – 24 April 2011) was an Indian guru and philanthropist. At the age of 14, he claimed that he was the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba and left his home saying “my devotees are calling me, I have my work.”
Sai Baba's believers credited him with miracles such as materialisations of vibhuti (holy ash) and other small objects (rings, necklaces and watches), spontaneous and miraculous healings, resurrections, clairvoyance, bilocation and he was purportedly omnipotent and omniscient. His devotees believe these to be signs of his divinity, while other individuals have asserted that these acts were based on sleight of hand or had other explanations and as such, were not supernatural.
In 1972, Sathya Sai Baba founded the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. Its goal was "to enable its members to undertake service activities as a means to spiritual advancement". Through this organisation, Sathya Sai Baba established a network of free general and super speciality hospitals, free medical clinics, drinking water projects, schools, universities, ashrams, auditoriums, and education technology.
By virtue of his sizeable influence, many feel Sai Baba provides an example of "the phenomenon referred to as mahagurus; that is, gurus with a global reach." Citing the number of Sai Centers (over 2000 in 137 countries), the scope of service and charitable works (free hospitals, drinking water projects), social sphere and influence of devotees (royalty, celebrities, high ranking politicians along with a total number of devotees estimated to be from 6 to 100 million worldwide) as well as being seen as a global "movement extending in some very surprising ways."
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